The air was cool, but not overly so, and with every breeze, a colourful leaf fell from the tree she was sitting beside. Twilight, comfortable from her look-out position, watched from the top of the hill at what took place before her. Down below, there was a vast woodland, where all the trees had turned their leaves into the usual colours of autumn, red, orange and yellow. It was, needless to say, a beautiful sight. She smiled as she looked upon it. One of my favourite times of the year. Such a shame it never lasts too long. Turning, she gazed as a call could be heard from one end of the woodland, wherein she smiled as she saw a huge collection of ponies gathering at what was unmistakeably a starting line. The running of the leaves. Racing ponies charging forth to help the leaves fall in time for winter. A fine tradition, practised everywhere in Equestria, at least where there are mostly earth ponies. A brief giggle escaped her. I swear, sometimes they're all as stubborn as Applejack. One good spell and the leaves would be gone. But, I guess I can't fault them for wanting to do stuff themselves. That is, after all, exactly what I've been doing myself the last few weeks.

But then, her attention was diverted down to a particular pair of mares who were lining up along with the rest. Even from this distance, Twilight could see who it was. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, ready to duke it out and discover who is Ponyville's best athlete. A smile crept onto her face as the memory of this event washed over her. All those events with them trying to compete was quite something to watch. The scientist in me has often wondered which of the two is more proud, but then, there are probably some things in this world that even I don't want to know the true extent of. A chortle passed her lips with that thought, and she settled into her spot to watch as her friends joined in on the race, which was still being prepared for. However, it was here that Twilight's ears perked up, as the distinct sound of somepony approaching could be heard from behind. Turning, Twilights eyes widened with shock as she saw, to her amazement, that it was none other than Princess Luna, walking as gracefully as ever towards her. Instinctively, she got up onto all four hooves, ready to give a bow. But, she was stopped by a single raised hoof from Luna, who looked at her with a smile.

"There is no need for that, Twilight. We are simply happy to see thee today."

It took a moment, but Twilight broke out into a small smile at that, briefly nodding with her head at the Princess. Celestia would have surely told her by now. So, apart from her, Luna is the only one who knows what I've done, what I know. A look of nervousness passed Twilight's face as she considered that. I...I wonder if she's angry with me about anything? Clearing her throat, Twilight looked at the blue alicorn again before speaking up herself.

"It's good to see you too, Luna. But, I must say, I'm surprised to see you here."

Luna nodded at that before walking beside Twilight, pointing down at the gathered ponies below.

"We have come to observe the running of the leaves. Our sister has encouraged us to get out a bit more. The night court can only acclimate us so much after all."

Twilight smiled a little before looking down at the sight before them. For a while, there was silence between the two mares, until, eventually, it was broken by Luna.

"Our sister has told us...everything."

The young unicorn hung her head low after hearing that.

"I’m sorry."

But, as she looked up to see Luna, she saw, to her surprise, that the alicorn bore no anger in her face, only a simple smile.

"Nay, Twilight. There is no need for apologies. Our sister told you this already. Thou committed this act for good reason. And like our sister, we also believe that thou will use this knowledge for good."

However, in spite of those words, Twilight still looked concerned over something.

"Thank you, but...I'm still sorry...for blocking you out of my dreams."

Luna nodded at that.

"Think nothing of it. It was a wise precaution. And In truth, we are grateful, knowing thy reasons. Doubtless, knowledge of the future would have been quite a shock for us. So, consider the matter, as modern ponies say, no harm no foul."

A sigh of relief escaped from Twilight after hearing that, though it was short-lived, as Luna’s expression took on a more serious tone.

"However, we are curious...is thy foreknowledge the reason thou attempted to talk us down in the old castle, rather than do battle?"

There was another silence for a time, but eventually, Twilight nodded.

"Yes. I spent so many years...or rather...I would have spent years, dwelling on that moment, regretting the fact that our first meeting resulted in a fight. I hoped to avoid violence with you this time around."

Luna regarded the young unicorn for a moment before breaking out into an appreciative smile.

"We understand. Had our positions been reversed, we like to think we too would have tried diplomacy. If ever we needed proof that thou will try and sway history on a proper path, that would most surely be it."

Twilight was briefly taken aback by that before nodding at Luna's words. With the tension now gone for the time being, they instead turned their gaze down towards the race. And it was here that the thing finally started, with all of the assembled mares beginning their run through the woodland. Looking up, Twilight smiled as she caught sight of Pinkie Pie, hovering in a balloon above the racetrack, who was currently giving her particular brand of commentary regarding the race below. After a few minutes of watching the event, Luna broke the silence between them once more.

"Tell us, where is thy young drake companion?"

Turning to the older mare, Twilight briefly giggled at that before giving her answer.

"Oh, Spike's back in town at the moment. He's been spending some time with a few of the fillies from the local school, including Applejack and Rarity's sisters."

Luna nodded that, looking interested at that information. But as she turned to the race yet again, Twilight thought more on what she'd just said. I didn't know how things would turn out, but it seems like him and the fillies have really hit it off. Hopefully, he'll be able to keep them out of trouble. Compared to them, he always was the cautious one...except when he isn't. A grimace crossed her face as she considered that. Hmmm...better keep a closer eye on them, just in case this actually makes things worse for them. However, her train of thought ended there when she looked up and noticed that Luna was pointing to the racers below, who were well past the halfway point on the track by now.

"Tell us...did thou not wish to participate in the run?"

Twilight shook her head at that.

"Not this time."

Luna turned to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah...so this is a change to history that thou art performing here?"

Twilight nodded in response.

"It is. The first time, I did participate, and actually did pretty well. But lately...I don't know...I guess after everything I know about...I've sort of lost taste for awards and praise."

Luna watched her carefully before giving a slight nod, and a look of understanding. Twilight, rather hesitantly, looked to her blue companion for a few moments before, after a few false starts, speaking up to her.

"Do you...do you ever struggle...with your position?"

The Princess of the moon considered that carefully for a few moments, after which, to Twilight's surprised, she let out a small laugh.

"Interesting. Thou feels the weight of leadership perhaps?"

Twilight turned away, looking back to the racers, before letting out a long sigh.

"It's just...ever since I made this pact with my future self...and gained these memories...it's like...it's like I've been given this massive responsibility."

Luna turned to her, never saying a word, but instead, listening carefully to everything the young unicorn had to say.

"I know I'm no real leader. Not yet. My role as Princess and alicorn hasn't arrived yet, if it arrives at all. And yet...knowing what I know...I feel like I've separated myself from everypony else. I look down there and I see ponies that I've charged myself with guiding in the right direction. I know it's not the same as what you or Princess Celestia do as leaders, but..."

"Thou feels isolated."

Twilight turned, surprised at the interruption, but nevertheless intrigued as to what Luna was about to say next. It took a few moments but the other mare finally began to speak.

"Thy feelings are as if everypony around thee is of another world. That you and yours are somehow separate. That the charge thou has placed upon thyself makes it difficult to connect to others. And knowing this...there is a feeling of loneliness."

The young unicorn suddenly felt a small measure of shame after hearing this. Of course...Luna would know that kind of feeling better than anypony. But, contrary to how Twilight might have expected Luna to act, she saw that the moon Princess was merely smiling at her.

"There is no need for sadness, Twilight. Take solace in the knowledge that thy task is a noble one. A position such as this may be difficult, but if thou art indeed destined to rise to Princess, then we are confident that thou will cope. Besides...thy friends are there for thee. They may not know what you know, but they will be there all the same."

Twilight smiled at that, as did Luna, and together the two turned to look upon the race once more. I forgot how wise Luna is, Twilight thought. Equestria really did lose a great mare during that thousand years. However, after that thought had begun to sink in, Twilight's eyes widened as she saw that many of the mares below had begun to arrive at the other side of the racetrack. Okay, it won't be long before Applejack and Rainbow Dash stumble over the finish line. Better get down there to meet them before Celestia arrives. It'd be good for me to see her again. I can't wait to hear what's been going on in Canterlot recently, especially if she has any juicy gossip about my brother and future sister-in-law. That thought in particular prompted a giggle from her before she started to move herself. As Twilight got up, Luna looked to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Time for thine intervention, we assume?"

Twilight nodded.

"Yeah. I may already know everything my friends are going to learn, but that doesn't mean I shouldn’t be there to tell them when they need to hear it."

Luna nodded at that and gave a respectful bow, which Twilight returned, before the latter began to make her way down the hill to meet with her friends. However, when she was far enough away, and out of earshot, Luna brought a hoof to her mouth and let out a giggle.

"It is true what we suspected...young Twilight really is starting to sound like our sister."

Another giggle escaped her before she had a chance to stifle it.

"A miniature Celestia...now there's a nightmare if ever we heard one!"